Are you more likely to get long-haul COVID-19 from the original strain of the coronavirus or from the delta variant? Janko Nikolich-Zugich, MD, PhD, Department Head of Immunobiology at the College of Medicine – Tucson, says that’s still something they are researching. Most of the long-haul cases that have been diagnosed so far come from the original strain or early variants like Alpha.

A new CDC study looked at 2,500 pregnant women who got the mRNA vaccine and found no increased risk of miscarriage. Now, the CDC is strengthening its recommendation and urging all pregnant women to get protected as the delta variant surges. Debra Guinn, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and vice chair of research at the College of Medicine – Tucson, studies the impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women. Dr. Guinn said her research backs up the CDC's findings. "There is no evidence it causes infertility or miscarriage. The vaccine is safe. There are no apparent negative impacts on pregnancy," Dr. Guinn said.

Christina Bergin, MD, a clinical associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the College of Medicine – Phoenix, is urging the governor to require masks in schools after her child was exposed to COVID-19.

Murtaza Akhter, MD, emergency physician at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, discusses the CDC's announcement that fully vaccinated students do not need to wear masks in schools.

As CBS News' Omar Villafranca reports, the U.S. is now averaging more than 100,000 new coronavirus cases daily. The former head of the FDA warns that numbers could become higher as the new school year kicks off. Dr. Shad Marvasti, a family medicine physician and associate professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, joins CBSN's Elaine Quijano with more.

A parent can legally ask individual teachers if they’re vaccinated, but the teacher doesn’t have to answer, said a recent advisory in Education Week, a journal of K-12 education news. “Anyone can refuse to answer the question, but they should be prepared to be treated as if they are unvaccinated,” wrote Sarah Whitley Coles, MD, a family physician and assistant professor at the College of Medicine – Phoenix, in Dear Pandemic, a website and newsletter that offers family-friendly medical advice.

Dr. Lee will continue leading the department after increasing faculty, clinical visits, surgical procedures and research over the last five years.

Six fellows working with faculty mentors will conduct research around the world as part of this year’s Global Health Equity Scholars fellowship program.